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Related Concept Videos

Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature01:16

Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature

The vertebral column or spine is a flexible column that supports the head, neck, and body and  allows for their movements. It also protects the spinal cord.
Regions of the Vertebral Column
In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form the...
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Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
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Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
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Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction01:27

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction

Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...
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General Structure of a Vertebra

A typical vertebra, with the exception of the sacrum and coccyx, consists of a body, a vertebral arch, and seven different projections termed processes. The anterior portion of the vertebrae, the body, supports about half the body’s weight. The vertebral bodies progressively increase in size and thickness from the cervical region to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The intervertebral discs present between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae firmly unites them, forming a continuous column.

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Clinical Efficacy of an Innovative Multidimensional Traction Therapy in Moderate Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
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Spine problems in young athletes.

Daniel J Sucato1, Lyle J Micheli, A Reed Estes

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, TX, USA.

Instructional Course Lectures
|February 4, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Young athletes experiencing back pain can often return to sports after proper diagnosis and treatment. Prompt medical evaluation is key for managing acute and chronic back issues in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Sports Medicine
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatric Sports Medicine

Background:

  • Increasing participation in sports among young people leads to a rise in acute and chronic back pain.
  • Back pain in young athletes requires careful evaluation to ensure a safe return to sports.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the diagnostic and treatment strategies for back pain in young athletes.
  • To emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis for timely return to sports participation.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive medical history and physical examination.
  • Judicious use of imaging modalities, including radiographs, CT, bone scans, and MRI, based on clinical suspicion.
  • Assessment of specific red flags such as night pain, neurological deficits, and pain with hyperextension.

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Clinical Efficacy of an Innovative Multidimensional Traction Therapy in Moderate Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
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Main Results:

  • Most back pain in young athletes is muscular, but bony causes like spondylolysis are common.
  • Spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis, lumbar disk disorders, and sacral stress fractures are significant causes requiring specific management.
  • Early diagnosis and tailored treatment plans are crucial for successful outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of back pain allows nearly all young athletes to return to sports.
  • Treatment approaches vary based on pain levels and the athlete's desire to continue their sport.
  • Surgical intervention, when necessary, generally permits a return to all sports activities.